LONGMONT -- Thirteen hundred fish made a long, big splash as they shot into the water.

"I love watching this," said Wes Parker as he watched a Colorado Fish and Wildlife truck stock the lake of Izaak Walton Park. The 1,300 trout -- or 1,329 if you want to be precise -- quickly scattered and vanished, joining another 2,000 fish that were added to the lake last week.

"No floaters," one watcher said, keeping an eye out for fish that hadn't survived the journey. "That's good."

On Saturday, Longmont's youngest anglers will do their best to reduce that population. That's when the 10th annual Chick Clark Kids Fishing Program gets under way at Izaak Walton, 18 S. Sunset St.

The day tends to draw a crowd. The first 250 children had signed up by March 15 (earning a free rod and reel in the process); city land program administrator Dan Wolford said the children and parents could total 400 by the time hooks start hitting the water.

And speaking of water, don't worry about the forecast. Sure, the National Weather Service is giving a chance of rain. But rain, shine or snow, the fishing day is still on.

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"It wouldn't be the first time," Wolford said. "We've been out to fish with all these kids when there's six inches of snow on the ground."

The event is sponsored by the city, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Kids Fishing Inc. and the Longmont Optimist Club. The day, organized for those 15 and younger, includes free fishing at Izaak Walton's lake, free hot dogs (provided by Parker and the Optimists) and a fishing clinic for children. Adults are encouraged to help but to let the kids do the fishing.

That's usually not a problem. Aquatic biologist Mike Mitchell of Queen of the River Fisheries Consultants, who helped start the program, said the kids quickly make the day their own. Last year, he said, some Boy Scouts that he brought with him wound up teaching one section of the clinic when the official teacher had to hurry home for an emergency.

The program runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., but the children are welcome to fish all day. At noon, Mayor Dennis Coombs will dedicate the Chick Clark Kids fishing pier, finished last October.

The event is named for Charles "Chick" Clark, a good friend of Mitchell's who worked with or led a number of community groups, including the Boy Scouts.

The Chick Clark fishing day acts as an unofficial start of spring, coming each year on the Saturday before spring break for the St. Vrain Valley School District.

"We just encourage kids to come out and have a little outdoor recreational experience," Wolford said.

Most of the fish in the lake are trout, Wolford said, with some others such as bass and crappie mixed in.

The young anglers may use live bait and keep any fish they catch, up to the state limit for each species. No state license is required for the day.

"You just can't beat the expressions on these kids' faces when they get a bite," Wolford said. "A couple of years ago, a little guy caught a big old carp and he just kept toting it around. He was so happy."

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